Adjustable stretcher frame



w. A. DAVIS 2,117,055

ADJUSTABLE STRETCHER FRAME Filed March 11, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .22"

May 10, 1938.

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Patented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE STRETCHER FRAME William A. Davis, Chicago, Ill.

' Application March 11,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a stretcher frame. The construction herein described is particularly adapted for holding a piece of cloth in position for embroidery work and other needle craft, but

the invention may be adapted as well to other uses.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable stretcher frame which will support a cloth on all sides in the same plane, thus eliminating wrinkles and curvature over the surface of the cloth. Another object is to provide an adjustable stretcher frame which will permit the cloth to be fastened at points on a side of the frame and which will yet permit stretching of the cloth between the points at which it is fastened.

In common constructions of adjustable frames two members are adjustably secured on top of two other members. Obviously, the tops of two mem- {v bers are ina plane different from that of the tops of the other two, and when the cloth is attached to the tops of all members wrinkles and unevenness result. Also, as the cloth when pulled taut has a tendency to assume a single plane, it is likely to be pulled loose at points where it is fastened to the under members. These and other objections are overcome by the construction herein disclosed. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention with the structure completely assembled and showing a fragment of cloth to illustrate how the cloth may be attached; Figure 2 a sectional view as seen from line 2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 a view in elevation of a cross member omitting the blocks; Figure 4 a plan view of a cross member with the blocks omitted; Figure 5 a plan View of a side member; Figure 6 a view in elevation of a side member; and Figure 7 a View in perspective of one of the blocks.

In the illustration given, A denotes the side members, and B denotes the cross members. A and A are left and right side members respectively, and B and B are top and bottom cross members respectively.

The construction of side members A is more clearly shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. These members may consist simply of wood strips having slots l0 and H. Slots l0 and II may be extended toward each other or entirely joined as one long slot, but the preferred construction is shown with a middle unslotted portion mainly because this lends greater strength and will per- 1936, Serial No. 68,317

mit sufficient adjustment of the frame for pracits thickness exceeds that of the slotted portions.

of the strip by the thickness of the side members A.

The blocks l4, which may be made of wood, have slotted sides and have I-shaped cross sections. The thickness of the upper portion I5, above the slot, is the same as that of the side members A, the slots l6 and l! are of such size as to admit an edge of cross strip l2, and the center portion 18 is of such width as to be conveniently received within slots l9 or 20 of the cross strips 12. Thus, the blocks l4 may be slidably mounted on the cross strips, the center portion l8 of the blocks sliding in slots l9 and 20 of the cross strips, and the edges of the cross strips sliding in slots [6 and H of the block. Strips l2 may be adapted to receive any desired number of blocks of suitable lengths.

After the blocks have been slidably mounted upon the cross strips, fillers 2| are inserted in the ends of the slots l9 and 20 and secured by cross pins 22. However, sufficient space is left for the sliding of the blocks so that the blocks may be moved endwise to allow side members A to be placed between them, and preferably there should be left additional sliding space asshown in Figures 1 and 2. If desired the raised portion l3 of members B may be omitted and this part. of the strip slotted to accommodate slidable blocks just as are the end portions.

Side members A are fastened to cross members B by bolts 23 extending through the slots of each member and tightened by wing nuts 24 on the under side of the frame. The side members may be placed with their edges abutting the ends of middle portion l3 of the cross members, as memmembers by any suitable means such as by the use of thumb tacks 26. In the illustration given the cloth is shown attached near the outer edges of the side members, but it may be attached near the inner edges as well.

In the use of this stretching frame the side members are first attached to the cross members at such an adjustment as most nearly accommodates the size of the cloth to be mounted. Adjustment of the distance between cross members B is made by sliding bolts 23 in slots l and H; this adjustment is limited only by the length of these slots. Adjustment of the distance between side members A is made as previously explained by inserting one or more blocks between the side members as they are mounted; this adjustment is limited to intervals corresponding to the length of the blocks. However, adjustment may be made for cloth of various widths by selecting the number of blocks which most nearly gives the desired spacing and then attaching the cloth either at the outer edge or the inner edge of the side members as happens to be convenient.

After the cloth is attached at all sides, the frame may again be adjusted for stretching the cloth taut. This is done by loosening wing nuts 24 and moving one or both side members A outwardly to take up some of the additional space left between the slidable blocks, the bolts 23 being allowed to slide along slots [9 and 20 until the cloth is drawn sufiiciently taut, and again tightening nuts 24 to secure the members in attachment. After the cloth has been used for some time in this position it has a tendency to stretch and again become loose. To remedy this the frame may be adjusted as before, or, if all additional space is taken up, it may be necessary to slide added blocks between the side members.

The edges of the cloth or material may be tacked to the blocks within the side members as well as to central portions 13. In this construction, when the side members are moved apart to stretch the cloth, the blocks within the side members to which the cloth is attached will also slide outwardly. This allows stretching of the cloth between points of attachment at the edges.

The tops of the middle portions I3, the tops of blocks I4, and the tops of side members A, are all of an even level. This causes cloth having its edges attached to the tops of these various members to be suspended at points in one plane only. Such a mounting is highly desirable in that it eliminates much wrinkling and unevenness in the cloth.

In the form of the invention herein described only the cross members are equipped with slidable blocks, but it should be understood that the side members may also be equipped in a similar fashion. Also numerous other changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. An adjustable stretcher frame comprising: a pair of spaced cross members each including a strip provided with a raised middle portion and slotted end portions, said members being equipped with slidable blocks mounted on said end portions, the tops of said blocks being at an even level with said middle portions; and a pair of slotted side members attached to said strips by bolts extending through the slots of said strips and side members, said bolts being slidable along the slots of said side members to vary the spacing between said cross members, and being slidable in the slots of said strips to vary the spacing between said side members.

2. An adjustable stretcher frame comprising: a pair of spaced cross members each including a strip provided with a raised middle portion and slotted end portions, said members being equipped with slidable blocks mounted on said end portions, the tops of said blocks being at an even level with the said middle portions; and a pair of slotted side members attached to said strips by bolts extending through the slots of said strips and side members, said bolts being slidable along the slots of said side members to vary the spacing between said cross members, and being slidable in the slots of said strips to vary the spacing between said side members; said side members being adapted to be attached to said strips at either end of any of said slidable blocks.

3. An adjustable stretcher frame comprising: a pair of spaced cross members each including a strip provided with a raised middle portion and slotted end portions, said members being equipped with slidable blocks of different lengths mounted on said end portions; and a pair of slotted side members attached to said strips by bolts extending through the slots of said strips and side members, said bolts being slidable along the slots of said side members to vary the spacing between said cross members, and being slidable in the slots of said strips adjacent the ends of said slidable blocks to vary the spacing between said side members; said side members being adapted to be attached to said strips at either end of any of said slidable blocks, and said side and cross members having their top surfaces within the points of attachment aligned at an even level.

4. An adjustable stretcher frame comprising cross members having unslotted central and end portions and longitudinal slots extending between said central portion and said end portions, slidable blocks extending through said slots and having their bottom sides below said cross members, and side members transversely attached to said cross members, the tops of said side members being flush with the tops of said blocks.

WILLIAM A. DAVIS. 

